Video shows crowds spilling out onto Deansgate on first weekend of 10pm curfew
Footage shot on Deansgate shows a mass exodus as punters are booted out of local bars on the weekend - resulting in streams of people piling out onto the streets either side of busy traffic.
A video captured on Saturday evening showed punters spilling out onto city centre streets as the aftereffects of the pub curfew were seen for the first time on a busy weekend.
Since 24 September, the hospitality sector has been required to stop serving food and drink by law at 10pm.
Footage shot on Deansgate shows a mass exodus as punters are booted out of local bars on the weekend – resulting in streams of people piling out onto the streets either side of busy traffic.
The video, captioned “Deansgate at 10pm. Well done government”, shows crowds congregating outside the pubs and restaurants on one of Manchester’s busiest roads – some seemingly heading home; others lurking in the area.
A hubbub of whoops and laughs soundtrack the busy scene – with slow-moving traffic carefully weaving around those who are walking into the road.
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Another photo also shows the huge queues waiting at the Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink stop.
Hospitality has accused the government of unfairly targeting the industry throughout the pandemic, with many businesses concerned they won’t be able to survive with truncated opening hours.
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Manchester Nightlife Economy Adviser Sacha Lord called the new rules “shambolic”.
It’s very clear, across the UK, that this ill thought out 10pm curfew, has pushed everyone out of venues with socially distanced measures, into the streets, into off licenses, supermarkets, over crowded public transport and house parties. Every operator predicted this. Shambolic.
“It’s very clear, across the UK, that this ill thought out 10pm curfew, has pushed everyone out of venues with socially distanced measures, into the streets, into off licenses, supermarkets, over crowded public transport and house parties,” wrote the Parklife founder on Twitter.
“Every operator predicted this.”
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Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham called for an “urgent review” of the 10pm curfew, adding that it was doing “more harm than good as it creates an incentive to gather in the streets or at home.”
“There is definitely science behind it,” said the MP on The Andrew Marr Show.
“That’s why we’re requiring people to be seated in pubs and restaurants, so that stops the flow of them to and from the bar.”
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
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Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.